It is that time of year where junior doctors across the UK are pondering their future career. Some are considering applying to become a radiologist. Have you got what it takes? Answer the
following questions and find out!
1. Do you like starting work before 8am?
a) I am an owl; I don’t do
mornings
b) With enough caffeine, I can just
about do it
c) I am the rooster; I love being
at work before 6am
2. Some doctors like to give medicines to ill people. Do
you?
a) So long as they’ve got either
barium or iodine in, I’m fine with that
b) Oooh, now we are talking. I
love pharmacology!
c) I know 3 antibiotics, will
that do?
3. How much do you like needles?
a) My favourite form of pointy
metal; I'm fond of a spot of Voodoo
b) Argh! All pointy! Absolutely
not!
c) A lot. I know several types of
stitch and like my thread absorbable.
4. Do you like wires?
a) Hmm, long and thin. Love them!
b) They obviously have a
mechanical role but they don’t excite me
c) Urgh! Give me 3 inches of
steel any day
5. And, on the subject, what about long, thin and rigid
plastic tubes
a) The longer and more rigid the
better!
b) Hmph? Why would these interest
me?
c) Not at all. I like my plastic
tubes large bore and of medium length
6. Do you get excited by the thought of >1000 litres of
liquid helium?
a) Ooooo! Sorry, I just have to
change my underwear
b) It is interesting enough,
theoretically
c) Not at all. Damnable egghead
stuff
7. How do you feel about the dark?
a) I love it; black is my
favourite colour
b) It has a role. At night,
generally
c) I like bright lights and am
nyctophobic*
8. What sort of books do you tend to read?
a) Detective novels; Sherlock
Holmes is my hero
b) Esoteric and obscure fiction
c) Preferably books that you can
colour in
9. What sort of films do you like?
a) They have to be black and white; I find colour so false
b) Documentaries or anything
factual
c) Anything with sharp blades and lots of blood in it!
10. What garments do you like to wear at work?
a) A two-piece lead/rubber apron with matching
thyroid shield
b) Anything tweedy
c) Blue pyjamas every time
11. When 5pm comes, are you?
a) Out the door and already
fighting traffic
b) Still bogged down with paperwork
and scut
c) Generally getting into my
stride, sending for the last case
12. Do you like taking a patient’s history?
a) A few brief questions to get
the headline issues. I like it short and snappy
b) Ooooh! The diagnosis is all in
the history. It is so important
c) Next you’ll be saying I have
to touch them as well as talking to them
Results
Mostly A – excellent! You should apply for radiology right
now!
Mostly B – hmmm. You’d be better off as a physician or
possible a GP
Mostly C – ahem. I think you surgery is calling you.
*nyctophobia - fear of the dark
